Lodi Farmers Market returns this Thursday

May 15—Some 65 farmers, growers, arts and craft vendors and food vendors will line both sides of School Street Thursday evening when the Lodi Certified Farmers Market returns for the summer.

The market attracts some 5,000 guests every Thursday, and Lodi Chamber of Commerce President and CEO JP Doucette said there will be some new features to this year's fair.

While the market has typically only featured vendors along School Street, Doucette said the chamber has added a small section of booths on Oak Street for guests to "sample" new growers and artisans.

"Usually we make vendors commit for the entire 16 or 18 weeks, but it's gotten to be a bit of rotating spaces in previous markets," he said. "This will be an opportunity for vendors — particularly those that can't come every week — to come in a couple of nights on a rotating basis. It's also a way to give shoppers something unique."

Doucette said that as some of the rotating Oak Street vendors find success during each appearance, the chamber will try to get them to commit for next year's market.

Another new feature to the market this year is changing the wine garden to a cider garden on the northern end of School Street near the visitor's bureau.

Doucette said cider tends to be a more refreshing, summertime drink than wine, and the change should be welcome among market attendees.

Some new booths guests can visit on a weekly basis include vendors selling jarred pickled vegetables, fresh squeezed orange juice, and Oakdale's Dying Breed Brewery, among others, Doucette said.

"The chamber is really focused on bringing in different stuff you'd normally find at a farmer's market," he said. "People will find a lot of variety, and a wider selection of specialty products this year."

Live music has also returned to the market this year, with the stage at the southern end of School Street — near the Post Office and beer garden — featuring rock and blues acts, while the stage at the northern end will have more relaxed, acoustic offerings, he said.

In addition, every other week will be themed, and Polynesian dancers will perform at several markets throughout the summer.

"We just really appreciate the way the community supports the market," Doucette said. "It's a lot of work to put on every Thursday, but it's really rewarding to see multiple generations of families come out and see people meeting up with friends. We're just trying to make downtown a gathering place. It's a jewel that other towns envy."